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Detailed_SQL_Interview_Questions

The document provides a comprehensive overview of SQL interview questions and answers, covering key concepts such as SQL joins, aggregate functions, subqueries, and performance optimization techniques. It includes examples for various SQL operations, including GROUP BY, HAVING, and the use of indexes. Additionally, it differentiates between stored procedures and functions, and explains the use of window functions and handling NULL values.

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abhiramkakinada2409
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15 views

Detailed_SQL_Interview_Questions

The document provides a comprehensive overview of SQL interview questions and answers, covering key concepts such as SQL joins, aggregate functions, subqueries, and performance optimization techniques. It includes examples for various SQL operations, including GROUP BY, HAVING, and the use of indexes. Additionally, it differentiates between stored procedures and functions, and explains the use of window functions and handling NULL values.

Uploaded by

abhiramkakinada2409
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Comprehensive SQL Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is SQL, and why is it important in data analytics?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language for managing relational databases. It is
crucial in data analytics for retrieving, filtering, aggregating, and analyzing structured data efficiently.

Example Query:
SELECT * FROM employees WHERE department = 'Sales';

2. Difference between INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and FULL OUTER JOIN

SQL joins are used to combine records from multiple tables based on a related column.
- INNER JOIN: Returns only matching rows.
- LEFT JOIN: Returns all rows from the left table and matching rows from the right.
- RIGHT JOIN: Returns all rows from the right table and matching rows from the left.
- FULL OUTER JOIN: Returns all rows when there is a match in either table.

Example:
SELECT employees.name, departments.department_name FROM employees
INNER JOIN departments ON employees.department_id = departments.id;

3. Difference between WHERE and HAVING

- WHERE filters rows before aggregation.


- HAVING filters groups after aggregation.

Example:
SELECT department, COUNT(*) FROM employees GROUP BY department HAVING COUNT(*) >
5;

4. How to use GROUP BY and HAVING in a query?

GROUP BY is used to group rows with similar values, and HAVING filters those groups.

Example:
SELECT department, AVG(salary) FROM employees GROUP BY department HAVING AVG(salary)
> 50000;

5. Query to find duplicate records in a table

To find duplicate records, use GROUP BY and HAVING:

SELECT name, COUNT(*) FROM employees GROUP BY name HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;
6. Retrieve unique values from a table

Use DISTINCT to return unique records:

SELECT DISTINCT department FROM employees;

7. Aggregate functions: COUNT(), SUM(), AVG(), MIN(), MAX()

- COUNT(): Counts rows.


- SUM(): Adds numeric values.
- AVG(): Calculates the average.
- MIN()/MAX(): Finds minimum/maximum values.

Example:
SELECT department, SUM(salary) FROM employees GROUP BY department;

8. Purpose of DISTINCT keyword

DISTINCT removes duplicate values from the results.

Example:
SELECT DISTINCT job_title FROM employees;

1. Query to find second-highest salary

Using LIMIT and OFFSET:

SELECT DISTINCT salary FROM employees ORDER BY salary DESC LIMIT 1 OFFSET 1;

2. What are subqueries?

A subquery is a query within another query.

Example:
SELECT name FROM employees WHERE salary = (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees);

3. What is a Common Table Expression (CTE)?

CTEs improve query readability and recursion.

Example:
WITH dept_salary AS (SELECT department, AVG(salary) AS avg_salary FROM employees
GROUP BY department)
SELECT * FROM dept_salary WHERE avg_salary > 50000;

4. Window functions: ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), DENSE_RANK()

- ROW_NUMBER(): Assigns unique row numbers.


- RANK(): Skips ranks for duplicates.
- DENSE_RANK(): No rank gaps for duplicates.

Example:
SELECT name, department, salary, RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY department ORDER BY salary
DESC) AS rank FROM employees;

5. UNION vs UNION ALL

- UNION: Combines results, removes duplicates.


- UNION ALL: Combines results, keeps duplicates.

Example:
SELECT name FROM employees WHERE department = 'Sales'
UNION
SELECT name FROM employees WHERE department = 'Marketing';

6. What are indexes and how they improve performance?

Indexes speed up data retrieval by optimizing searches.

Example:
CREATE INDEX idx_employee_name ON employees(name);

7. Query to calculate total sales per month

Use GROUP BY with an aggregate function:

SELECT MONTH(order_date) AS month, SUM(sales) FROM orders GROUP BY


MONTH(order_date);

1. Optimizing slow-running SQL queries

- Use indexes.
- Avoid SELECT *.
- Optimize joins and subqueries.
- Use EXPLAIN PLAN for query optimization.

2. Views in SQL

A view is a virtual table based on a query.

Example:
CREATE VIEW high_salary_employees AS SELECT * FROM employees WHERE salary > 70000;

3. Difference between stored procedure and function

- Stored Procedure: Executes multiple statements, returns nothing or multiple results.


- Function: Returns a single value, used in SQL expressions.

Example Stored Procedure:


CREATE PROCEDURE GetHighSalaries() AS SELECT * FROM employees WHERE salary >
70000;

4. Difference between TRUNCATE, DELETE, and DROP

- TRUNCATE: Deletes all rows, resets identity.


- DELETE: Deletes specific rows with WHERE.
- DROP: Deletes the table permanently.

5. Windowing functions and analytics

Used for running totals, rankings, and moving averages.

6. Using PARTITION BY and ORDER BY in window functions

Example:
SELECT name, department, salary, RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY department ORDER BY salary
DESC) AS rank FROM employees;

7. Handling NULL values with COALESCE, ISNULL

- COALESCE: Returns the first non-null value.


- ISNULL: Replaces NULL with a default value.

Example:
SELECT name, COALESCE(salary, 0) FROM employees;

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